Most everything is way cheaper in Thailand.

Clinics are walk in, no appt needed.

Why spend money, much more money, ahead of time?

I was never asked about a relationship!

I am a widow and my husband is f*cking DEAD....so relationship is irrelevant.

If they ever asked, I'd be puzzled as hell!

I got mine (OA Retirement) stateside PRIOR to moving abroad. No problem getting a bank account. Then came back stateside after a year to earn a bit more money and putting funds aside via WISE regularly.

The only concern is that nowadays you have to also get Thai health insurance. If you are still fairly young, probably not a huge barrier.

What advice would you give to your mother? Nor kidding. Assuming you are close and care about her decisions, of course.

Now give that same advice to yourself.

Question answered.

@Todd ********

Why not? My Fidelity IRA funds were accepted, no problem. It had to be the OA version, applied for overseas, and it was so easy, even an old lady like myself could do it! Now, of course, the OA requires health insurance, which is an extra step and much harder if you are an older person, but can you do it? ABSOLUTELY! Just follow the steps and get it done!~

I got my OA retirement visa using the funds in my American IRA (Fidelity). You can use any bank account that has the required minimum funds and seasoning.

Back when I did this (in 2019) there was no health insurance requirement so it was a bit easier than it is to do the OA now. Yeah, that lovely element arrived about two weeks after I had already settled in Thailand (whew!).

That said, the usual "retirement visa" that most long term retirees use is the O retirement visa, and that one does NOT require any health insurance, thus it is what folks like. That one needs the funds (800K baht) in a THAI bank account. Because I saw this coming down the pike, I went ahead and opened two bank accounts in Thailand prior to heading back to America to continue working and saving. I'm putting $$$ regularly into those accounts.

So you've got the option of using your B of A with the OA, of course.

Exactly! Keyboard trolls think that questions mean you are "stupid". Nothing could be further from the truth. Questions mean that you know enough not to ASS U ME anything, and it keeps you safe when you are figuring out something as crucial and life-changing as retirement in a foreign country.

@Ellen ************

Asian culture of 'save face' is a thing. It's even a thing outside of Asian culture lately (notice how folks are refusing to back down and admit mistakes?). Yep. Learn from the mistakes of OTHERS....or choose to learn the lessons the HARD way. It's a choice! Wisdom can prevent a lot of heartache, for sure! Happy travels!

I find it hilarious (but kind of sad) that those who don't CYA are the very first to WHINE like a little baby when it all goes pear-shaped, the sh*t hits the fan, and they get screwed at immigration. "Well, then WHY do they even DO electronic stuff when it doesn't even f'ckin WORK half the time?" The powers that be do electronic stuff cuz they can and it's the cool thing to do, right? But the powers at immigration will NOT have your back if you don't have solid proof. They'll be the first to kick your butt to the curb...and then all you got remaining is the power to cry, whine and go full Karen on 'em (never a good end result, right?)

It'll be nice to arrive with about 9K usd waiting for me at the airport haha. Nice moving expense money and safety net.